Cross-sectional study of mental health care utilization among parents of children with cancer

Caring for a child diagnosed with cancer may adversely affect the mental health (MH) of parents. A cross-sectional study of 4837 privately insured families for children diagnosed with cancer during 2010 to 2018 found statistically significantly increases in the probabilities of one or both parents having anxiety-related, depression-related, and any MH-related visits compared with families of children without cancer. Such differences were greater in magnitude among mothers than fathers. The authors conclude that targeted interventions to provide counseling and support are warranted to better meet MH care needs among parents and caregivers of children with cancer.